Mayor lands a deal for 100 new jobs with Saudi Aramco

Updated 8:06 am, Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Photo: J. Patric Schneider, For The Chronicle

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Houston Mayor Annise Parker

Houston Mayor Annise Parker

Photo: J. Patric Schneider, For The Chronicle

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Houston Mayor Annise Parker at a special screening of "Citizen Hearst: The Story of A Modern Media Company 125 Years in the Making," at the Asia Society Texas Center on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012, in Houston. ( J. Patric Schneider / For the Chronicle )

Houston Mayor Annise Parker at a special screening of "Citizen Hearst: The Story of A Modern Media Company 125 Years in the Making," at the Asia Society Texas Center on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012, in Houston. (

Sheriff Adrian Garcia, left, and former Houston Mayor Bill White, right, watch as Mayor Annise Parker, center, speaks during a news conference kicking off 'Champions for Change,' Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, in Houston. 'Champions for Change' will provide Houston leaders with the opportunity to make an impact in the community by building a safer future for their families, friends and neighbors. The campaign recognized the 11 founding members, including Mayor Parker, Sheriff Garcia, and former Mayor White, during the conference.

Mayor Annise Parker visits with thirteen year-old Derrian Walton, ten-month old Charlize Simon, being held by her father Charles Simon during National Night Out at Nellie Keyes Park in the Rice Military neighborhood.

Mayor Annise Parker visits with thirteen year-old Derrian Walton, ten-month old Charlize Simon, being held by her father Charles Simon during National Night Out at Nellie Keyes Park in the Rice Military

Mayor Annise Parker said she "appreciates the importance of oil and gas to our economy" but said that the city also benefits from its green programs.

Mayor Annise Parker said she "appreciates the importance of oil and gas to our economy" but said that the city also benefits from its green programs.

Photo: Cody Duty

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Houston Mayor Annise Parker speaks during the City of Houston & Houston Independent School District's "Back to School Fest" at Reliant Center Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, in Houston. The event included backpacks, school supplies, groceries and immunizations to help families prepare for the start of the new school year.

On the first day of an eight-day trade mission to the Middle East, Houston Mayor Annise Parker has helped forge a deal with Saudi Aramco that will bring 100 new jobs to the city, the mayor's office announced Monday.

Saudi Aramco President and CEO Khalid Al-Falih also promised to increase donations for drought remediation at a Houston park, and he expressed continued support for the Houston Marathon. Houston city officials are in talks with Aramco about where to channel its drought remediation donation.

After a meeting with Parker in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, Al-Falih said the Saudi Arabian Oil Co. would open a new technology center in north Houston that would create 100 jobs, mostly scientist positions.

Sponsored by the Bilateral U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the 38-member Houston delegation will visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates before returning home at the end of the week.

"This proves the value of the face-to-face contact that occurs as a result of these trade missions," Parker said in a news release. "We have a commitment of new jobs for the Houston area. That will mean new economic investment and good salaries that will have a ripple effect in the Houston economy."

Al-Falih also announced plans to hold Saudi Aramco's April 2013 board meeting in Houston, a decision he said reflects the company's confidence in the international operations at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

"Saudi Aramco senior executives now feel more welcome at Houston's IAH than at any other airport in the United States," Al-Falih said in the news release.